WEST DEPTFORD — Joe Russo knocked on the door last year. So did his team.

This year they were let in.

Washington Township High School swept the Carl Arena/Al Rifkin Memorial Golf Tournament this season, with Russo carding a 71, topping Alex Wiley of Rancocas Valley in a one-hole playoff to take the individual title. His teammates scored strong as well, helping post a 311, enough to top second-place St. Augustine by three strokes.

Russo had finished in a tie for seventh last year with a 77 and the Minutemen had placed fourth as a team with a 321, eight strokes off pace.

Playing in the first flight this year, the team title was never in doubt. Matt Graziano stunned the field with a 78, his brother Mark carded an 80 and freshman Jake Hanzel shot an 82 to round out the 311.

“I actually thought I could (hit 78),” Graziano said. “My last three rounds were 38, 38, 39 and I had a round in the 70s over the weekend. I was peaking at the right time.

“Our golf team hadn’t accomplished that much (before last year) since winning sectionals in ‘98 and I don’t think we’ve ever won Arena, so to be a part of it, it’s pretty awesome.”

The individual title wouldn’t be had as easily. Russo finished the first flight in a three-way tie with Wiley and Colin Roche of Mainland and had to wait about six hours before teeing-off on No. 1 against Wiley — Roche had decided not to rejoin the tournament for the playoff and settled for third.

Wiley hit first, placing a solid drive in the middle of the fairway, while Russo landed about 15 yards ahead, slightly off to the right. Wiley’s next shot from about 340 yards out was short and in the rough and Russo made a last-second club change to place a shot about pin-high, though in the rough and elevated from the tee.

“I really wished I had teed-off first,” Russo said. “I like to put the pressure on. After he hit (his second shot), I had a three-iron in my hands and switched to a four. I guess I just caught a flyer and nuked it. I didn’t hit it the way I wanted, but it turned out successful.”

Russo played his wedge perfectly from the rough, dancing just over the bunker in front of the pin and rolling about eight feet from the hole. He two-putted, giving Wiley a chance to force a second hole, but a missed put from about five feet gave Russo the victory he’s been seeking for four years.

“The chip, honestly, was one of the best chips of my life,” Russo said. “My first thought was oh my god, I didn’t think I deserved that (lie). I got a little cute with the chip, but it cleared the bunker perfectly.”

A majority of Russo’s nervousness — if there was any — was waiting out the second flight to ensure he’d still be on top of the leaderboard. He was calm and collected during the short playoff, expected with his success in high school tournament play.

“I didn’t want to get my hopes up too much (before the second flight finished),” he said. “I knew there was a chance that someone would come in lower, it just didn’t happen.

“This is the one I wanted. I cut it close, doing it my senior year, but it’s really cool. I’m very happy I won this tournament, it’s a big accomplishment for me.”

Williamstown sophomore Tyler Reedman had an impressive showing, finishing in fifth place overall with a 73. He had placed 21st his freshman year with an 80 at Valleybrook.

The Minutemen will be playing the Olympic Conference Tournament today — with Russo having a chance to defend his win from last year — before the team moves to sectional playoffs next Monday.

“We’re hoping Joey can defend,” Graziano said. “We all want to get first-team and it’s doable at Ramblewood. And then it’s on to sectionals and we want to get back to states.”

Contact Rob Edwards at 856-845-9478 or at redwards@southjerseymedia.com